Information about Santorini
the island of Santorini is probably the most intriguing
island of Greece. Simply its name is more than enough to
unfold in mind stunning sunsets and scenery, white, red and
black sand beaches, impresive traditional houses, balconies
with vew to the Volcano and and lively night life. All the
above, allong with the remains of the antiquity and the myth
of the Lost Atlantis justify the words which the tourists
determine this wonderful island.
The active volcano of Santorini erupted in the 50's and
ruined many towns of the island. Santorini is also called
Thira and its capital is the town of Fira. It is a very
touristy island and therefore rather expensive.
The locals live mainly off agriculture and tourism. The islands
largest export product is soil; 2.000.000 tons a year are used
all over the world, mainly to make concrete. The Suez channel
was built with this concrete for example.
Most holidaymakers stay where the beaches are, Kamari and
Perissa, but these places really do not represent the island's
amazing distinctiveness.
If you can, you should try to stay in Fira, Imerovigli or Oia,
the towns on the cliffs, which are very beautiful and full of
little cafes, shops and places of interest. There is a bus that
goes to the beaches everyday, and it is much better to be in the
towns in the evening and on the beaches during the day. If you
stay in Monolithos you will have more peace and quiet.
Approaching the island by boat the immediate impression
obtained is this is a Greek island unlike any other. The island
of Santorini was formed out of the lava from the volcanic
eruption in 1660 BC. The central part of the volcano sank into
the sea leading to the emergence of Santorini itself and the
tiny neighbouring islands of Thirasia, Palaia and Nea Kameni
close by.
Today, Santorini is the only inhabited Caldera (volcano
cauldron) in the world. Unlike other islands in Greece, the
towns and villages sit densely on top of the massive cliffs of
the Caldera and from a distance appear like snow capping the
towering mountain tops. The coloured strata of the volcanic rock
of these cliffs are spectacular in themselves: chocolate brown,
rust red, yellow ochre, white and cream. The geological
uniqueness however is not the only thing that makes Santorini a
special holiday destination.
Everyone
has read about the spectacular sunsets that occur on this island
and the sceptic may question whether the setting sun can really
appear differently here than from the neighbouring islands of
Naxos or Ios. Nevertheless, the sunsets at Santorini, viewed
from the Caldera, really are breathtakingly beautiful when seen
as a backdrop to the volcano. The colours that streak the sky
change from lilac to deep purple, from yellow to orange to red,
as the golden sun sinks and becomes blood red reflecting its
light on to the sea and the surrounding little islands, an
amazing scene for photography. The eastern slopes of the island
are green and fertile, even in October. This is due to the
copious vineyards that grow so well in the fertile volcanic
soil. The terraced slopes of the mountains use every available
part of this fertile land. The island suffer from water
scarcity, because it has few natural water reserves, but the
nature of the dry soil of Santorini produces grapes that make up
one of the best wines of Greece. The climate, though damp is
healthy and perfect for producing the famous wine (vinsando),
fava beans and tomatoes. There are many wineries and a a local
factory for canning tomato paste, tomatoes and vegetables.
Santorini used to export a lot of pumice that finally stopped
due to the destruction the old pumice mines did to the island.
The old mines now are used for the burial of waste.
Today the island's economy relies on tourism, where tens of
thousands tourists from Greece and around the world visit the
island for unforgettable holidays
History Santorini used to be a round island, but during an earthquake and volcano-outbreak in the 15th century BC the middle of the island sunk and gave it the shape it has today. The underwater volcano, which is one of the rare examples of volcanoes in the world created from a circular island that was there before the explosion, a group of islands namely Thera, Thirassia, New and Old Kameni and Aspronisi. This is one of the reasons why many believe Santorini really is where Atlantis once was. The Minoan civilization on theisland was razed after this, but apparently, most people managed to flee.
The island has changed names through history. Originally it was called Stroggyli ("round") since that was the shape of the island. When the Phoenicians came they named it Kallisti ("the very best"), and finally it got the name Thira after its first ruler.
Theras was the son of the Theban hero Autesion who was a descendant of Cadmus. He was the vice king of Sparta and responsible for his twin nephews Procles and Eurysthenes. When they were old enough to rule by themselves, Theras left Sparta with a company of aristocrats and settled on Santorini.
The Romans originally used the island as a place for exiles, but later
helped in building up the island. The Christianization of Santorini took
place between the 2nd and 5th century. The island was often ravaged and even
destroyed by pirates and in 1204 it was conquered by the Venetians. It was
about then the island got its current name. The islands patron saint was
Agia Irini (St Eirene) and the foreign sailors called her St Irini - thus
Santorini.
The island was destroyed by the Venetians in 1354, and once again in 1397,
this time by the conquering Turks. In 1821 Santorini joined forces with the
Greek revolutionists and the island was subsequently freed from Turkish
rule. In 1956 there was a terrible earthquake which caused many buildings to
be ruined. The people in Kamari are almost all from a village that was
totally destroyed back then.
The island has been reconstructed after the terrible earthquake that
destroyed it on 9 July 1956.
Places to see in Satorini :
Fira the capital of Santorini is built on the edge of the caldera at
the west side of the island, at an altitude of 250 meters and was
founded in the late 18th century. It was the time when the inhabitants
of the old capital of the island, the castle of Skaros which was just
underneath the village of Imerovigli, began to abandon it because it was
heavily damaged by the earthquakes. In the early 19th century, Fira
became the capital of the island, and had access to the sea through the
port of Fira that is used until today mainly for cruise ships. Fira is
the seat of both the Orthodox, and the Catholic Diocese of Santorini.
What impresses at first glance in Fira is the typical
architecture of the houses and the stunning views. In the town are based
the public offices of the island, most of the shops, restaurants and
hotels and the town itself is the most populated of the island. In Fira
you can visit also the the art exhibition in the famous mansion Gizi .
The Archaeological museum and the Prehistoric museum where you can see
items from the excavations in Akrotiri, as well as many artefacts and
sculpture from the rich historical past of Santorini from the
Prehistoric times, the Neolithic and Minoan era, the Hellenistic, Roman
and Byzantine periods.
The main square Theotokopoulou is the centre of the town. There
you will find most of the banks, the buses and taxi terminals and many
shops.
During the evening all the terraces of the privileged cafes at
the edge of the caldera filled with tourists that are coming to enjoy a
drink as the sun sets over the deep blue Aegean.
At night the small streets along the east side of the town over
the caldera are bursting with crowds of holiday makers that walking up
and down the steps and narrow labyrinthine stone streets in a colourful
environment among numerous shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. During
the summer the city never sleeps, numerous cafes and snack bars are open
for the clubbers until the early morning hours. In Fira there is also a
folklore museum, a citadel from the Middle Ages, two Cathedrals, a
Catholic and an Orthodox. In Fira you can go to the church of Ag Mina,
which is the church that most postcards of Santorini portray . If you
come to Fira in September, there is a renowned classical music festival
every year.
At Oia you
you get the best sunsets, and both Oia and Fira are excellent towns for
just strolling around and shopping. The main street of Oia bursts of
tourists, especially when cruise ships are arrived, strolling around the
numerous tourist and souvenir shops. Be sure to find a table at one of
the cafes at the edge of the caldera before the sunset. Oia is a
surprisingly large town with just one street running along the entire
length of the town with two sets of cliff-side stairways descending all
the way down to the bays of Ammouda and Armeni as well as a cliff path
which runs down to the tiny port of Armenaki. Armeni harbour is smaller
and quieter than Ammoudi with one taverna and a small pebbly beach.
Similarly, it too, was used for trading wine during the days when Oia
was at its maritime peak. It can be reached by walking down the 291
steps from the Skala restaurant close to the main Caldera Square. There
are also donkeys or mules to hire to bring you up or down.
Alternatively, boats leave from Ammoudi bay to Armeni. The main street
of Oia is divided into two parts, one for cars and the second is
pedestrian only. Many little lanes and alleys come off of this street.
You can experience practically the whole of the village by walking along
the pedestrian street, with fantastic views all the way. The magnificent
sunsets can be seen from here but the best places to view are from
either end of the main street. At the eastern end is the main square
with the bus station and the Church of Panagia of Platsani and, at the
western end, are the ruins of the Venetian castle, the windmills and the
300 steps leading down to Ammoudi Bay. This latter seems to be the most
popular spot for viewing the
sunsets but can
get very crowded at sunset. Traditional Cycladic windmills are an
integral part of the landscape of Oia. They are scattered across the
town, hugging the side of the cliffs like molluscs. Some of them are now
used as private homes or are let out as holiday homes, whereas others
are incorporated into restaurants or simply cling there with no other
purpose than to add to the unique charm of this town. The most charming
are those located at the western end of the island, especially when they
are bathed in the rays of the setting sun. Oia is one of the most
photogenic island villages in Santorini and walking around its winding
cobbled streets is an absolute delight. Although in high season it can
get very busy, it is still possible to find yourself alone in a secluded
little passageway where you can quietly admire the original old
mansions, the windmills, the churches and the spectacular views of the
volcano, the caldera and the small island of Aspro and out to the larger
craggy island of Thirassia. The central square, Nicolaou Nomikou, lies
not at the centre of the town but a bit further towards its eastern
side. It is a popular place to take photographs as it borders the
caldera and has magnificent sea views. One of the most important
buildings of the village is located on this square, the large Church of
Panagia of Platsani. This beautiful church can be visited in the
evenings throughout the summer season. This square also is the site for
the occasional concert during the summer months as well as being a place
where locals meet and children play. Close to the square there are steps
which lead down to Armeni Bay.
Imerovigli
It is located about 2 miles north of Fira and south of Oia. The
village of Imerovigli is buid on the top of the Caldera at 300 metres over the
sea level. It has a few hundred inhabitants and is a national heritage village
with many chapels and churches. The most famous landmark of Imerovigli is the
castle of Skaros on the top of the rock beneath the village that use to be the
capital of the island of Santorini until the 18th century. There are many hotels
but more quite as Fira and Oia. You can walk there from Fira going through
Firostefani.
Akrotiri is an ancient town that was buried when the volcano erupted 3500
years ago. Archaeologists are still excavating it, but you can walk around in
the little street quarters and see the buildings almost like they were back
then. You'll be impressed by the modernity: the houses were two or three storey
high, and they even had running water. The excavations have also revealed
beautiful frescoes, tools and everyday life objects.
In Pyrgos a few kilometres from the capital you can see
the medieval fortress Kasteli and admire a 10th century church and a monastery
both with beautiful Byzantine icons and relics. The village of Messaria
is also located close to Fira (about 3,5 km) and is surrounded by vineyards, you
should visit the two small churches that are built in caves. In
Megalochori 5 km southeast of Fira interesting is the unique
way that this village combines the Cycladic architecture with neoclassical
mansions, there are some interesting churches to visit like the church of the
Virgin Mary, decorated with Icons from Russia and a totally original calendar
with miniature pictures. There are many places to stay, while from here you have
the opportunity to reach the southern coasts of the island.
Perissa Located approximately 14km away from Fira town,
Perissa is easily reached in around 10-15 minutes by bus or road. Buses leave
regularly from Fira market square and stop at pickup points all along the beach
road of Perissa. The beach of Perissa is the longest in Santorini: a very
impressive length of 7km that stretches to the next beach of Perivolos. In
addition to the beautiful black sand beach with all kinds of shops,
accommodations and water sports facilities worth visiting is the ancient site
with buildings and ruins from different time periods. There is an ancient
theatre, the ancient market, the ruins of a temple of Apollo, a shrine of
Egyptian deities and many buildings from the Hellenistic period.
Kamari in addition to the well organised beach you can
visit a church of the 11th century with significant Byzantine frescos and
sculptures from an earlier church. From Kamari, a winding switchback road takes
you up to to the ancient settlement of Thira on Mesa Vouno mountain. If you have
rented your own motor transport, it is possible to drive up this road until you
reach the parking area where you must continue on foot. If you prefer, you can
take one of the many coach tours which leave from Kamari to the parking area of
Thira. Either way, if you wish to see the ancient archaeological site, it will
involve the final stage being completed on foot. The path is uneven and rocky so
ensure that you are wearing sensible shoes and, if necessary, have a walking
stick to assist you for the final part of your journey. The archaeological site
is not fully excavated and, although interesting, it has to be said that the
site is more scenic than archaeological. So, if you think you can’t manage the
final walk to the top, don’t leave a trip up Mt. Mesa Vouna off your itinerary.
The views are absolutely spectacular!
Emporio
the traditional old market village of the island located 12 km
away from Fira. The village impresses with its unique layout and its very narrow
streets.
Here you will see the tower built during the era of Ottoman rule
in order to protect the inhabitants from pirate raids, another interesting place
to see is the monastery of St. John the Divine.
Don't miss to visit Finikia a small traditional village with beautiful
churches in the vicinity of Oia and the beach Baxedes . The villages of
Mesochori and
Karterados are worth visiting as well as the village of
Vourvoulos, which is located in the northeast of the
island 2.5 km from Fira.
From the balconies of the houses, visitors can enjoy the
tranquillity of the island , overlooking the plains and the sea which is 1.2 km
away.
Through the tranquil countryside , visitors can enjoy the moon
rise at the evening and the wonderful sunrise in the morning. In the village
there are taverns and mini markets. Monolithos
village situated 9 km from Fira and gather many visitors, thanks
to its stunning beach.
It is very nice to go on one of the boat excursions offered.
There are sunset trips in the evenings, and daily trips to the volcano and the
opposite islands Palia Kammeni, with warm natural wells, and Thirasia,
where there is a tiny picturesque village.
Ancient
Thira: is situated on top of high cliff just above Kamari,
and there is also and old church there from 1100 . This was the
Roman head quarters. Right at the top of the southeast peak of
the highest mountain of Santorini in Profitis Helias is the
ancient settlement of Thira. The winding road that leads to this
settlement begins at the south end of Kamari at the foot of the
mountain. The physically fit can walk up the winding mountain
road. which takes around 45 minutes, but the easiest way is to
drive up or take a bus and reserve your energy for the final
climb to the settlement itself as this last part is only
accessible by foot. The road is carefully constructed from hard
stones and ends at the beginning of the archaeological area of
ancient Thira. Here you will find a refreshment hut, seating and
car parking space. Buses also go to this point. From the top of
the Ancient Thira there are breathtaking views over the
eastern coast of Santorini, with the coastal villages of Kamari
and Perissa as tiny toy towns far below. If you intend to walk
or take your car it is advisable to go before 11am, in this way
you will avoid trying to negotiate passing oncoming traffic on
the narrow mountain road. If you are intending to walk it is
recommended to wear suitable footwear because the climb from the
car park to the settlement itself is not dangerous or difficult
but it does not have a properly constructed road to walk on. The
other most historic area of Santorini located in Akrotiri where
the excavations brought to the light the remains of the Minoan
town.
What to Do In Kamari and Karteradso there are tennis courts. In
Perissa there is mini golf, water park, go cart and roller-skating. In
Fira and Kamari there are fields for volleyball and basketball. There
are also many places to go biking. Many people enjoy the two hour walk
from Imerovigli to Fira- it is a very beautiful experience, but make
sure you have water with you, though today the two towns with
Firostefani in the middle are almost connected up. There are also
opportunities to go horse riding. Most of the nightlife is in Kamari,
Perissa and Fira. Do not forget the famous wineries of the island where
you can visit and taste the local Santorini wine. If you are driving you
will spot in many areas signs with the indication "wine roads".
Cruising the Caldera: This is a slightly different but equally enjoyable
way to visit the Caldera and enjoy the stunning sunsets of Oia. Many
tour operators run these cruises and you will find many being advertised
in Fira. The cruises last all day and leave from Fira around
mid-morning. Typically, the ship visits Nea Kameni, the active volcano
in the centre of the caldera and usually you will be able to stop off
here and climb the volcano. The cost of this climb is approximately one
euro and don’t forget that you will need to be wearing suitable footwear
for this climb. Ships usually spend one hour at Nea Kameni before
sailing on to Palia Kameni and its hot springs. After a refreshing dip
into the water the ships continue on to Thirassia, or ‘Little Thira’.
Here you will stop off for lunch, a swim and perhaps a donkey ride up to
the town of Manolas. From Thirassia, the ship continues on to Oia where
you can alight to explore the town and watch the sunset before returning
to the ship for the cruise back to Fira.
Beaches Being a volcanic island, the beaches are not of the
ubiquitous golden sand variety that you can expect to find on many Greek
islands. The south-eastern side of the island gives the best
beaches
of wide black lava sand. Other beaches around the island consist of
black sand strewn with pumice stones and black pebbles. Because the
beaches of Santorini consist of black volcanic matter, the heat of the
sun is absorbed rather than reflected. Consequently, the sand can get
incredibly hot during the day so, to avoid burning the soles of your
feet, wearing protective shoes is highly recommended. Kamari and Perissa
are popular beaches on this southeast coast both with beautiful mountain
surroundings and wide stretches of black sand. Santorini main beaches
have water sports. In general, Santorini beaches are wide with mainly
black sand. There are also lots of currents and the waves can get very
high especially at the north east side of the island. Kamari and Perissa
are popular beaches with their beautiful surroundings and black sand. If
you seek calmer beaches, it is better to go to Monolithos, Vlichada or
Agios Georgios. For snorkelling visit Amoudi. Read more about the
beaches in
Santorini
Nightlife Santorini has a varied nightlife, and most bars and discos are in Fira, Kamari and Perissa. Fira is probably the most popular place, and here you shouldn't miss having a drink in one of the little cafes on the steep side. The amazing view, relaxed atmosphere and soft live Jazz music from The Zafora cafeteria, for example, will give you an unforgettable experience. Read more about the nightlife in Santorini
Food and restaurants: You can get almost everything on Santorini - from traditional Greeks food to international gourmet dinners. Try the local wine Visanto and see what you think!!! In Fira on the side of the Caldera there are numerous eateries and grill taverns where you can enjoy all kind of foods from cheap souvlaki, Giros with pita bread and hamburgers to expensive up market restaurants .The same setting of eateries can be found in Oia, Imerovigli and all the other resorts of the island.
Weather The weather in Santorini like in most of the Aegean islands consists of beautiful and dry Summers with temperatures reaching sometimes 35- 37 degrees but the Meletemia (north summer winds) decrease the high summer temperatures. The north east part of the islands is mostly windy while the west part is protected from the winds from the island of Thirasia. Winters can be cold and wet but never reaching bellow zero temperatures.
Shopping Santorini is a bit of a cosmopolitan island, just the
number of luxury yachts that stop here is very high for such a small
island, so it is quite expensive. Many artists live here, and you can
buy a lot of original stuff - hand painted umbrellas, ceramics,
jewellery, art etc. You can also get nice icons, but be careful,
anything older than 1821 needs a special permit to be exported. There is
also local wine worth trying and taking with you, the famous fava beans
of Santorini (best in Greece) , local cheeses and caper. Of course if
you stay longer in Santorini and would like to have your self catering,
there are major international chain supermarkets like Lidle, mini
markets, green grosser and all kind of shops you will find in a
city.
Although Fira is considered to be the best town for shopping in
Santorini, Oia comes a very close second. In fact, for clothing,
handicrafts and artwork it definitely surpasses Fira. The narrow cobbled
streets are bursting with tiny little shops selling all manner of
beautiful fabrics, jewellery, artwork, antiques, Venetian mirrors and
souvenirs. The general ambience too is preferable to the busy streets of
Fira. In Oia you will find compact, jewel-like shops and art galleries
with a much more sophisticated, ethnic quality to them. Furthermore,
because of its stunning vantage point, Oia has inspired and attracted
many artist. Consequently, it is not surprising that it is considered to
be the artistic capital of Santorini and for this reason you will
discover many small art galleries, often with work that is more
imaginative and original than can be found in Fira.
Getting Around Santorini is quite a small island, and it is easy
to get around. There are local buses to take you to most places, but of
course you can also rent a car or a bike. There are also taxis on the
island.
The harbour of Athinios where the ferryboats stop is connected to Fira
and the rest of the island by a well made serpentine road. Driving up or
down this road can be quite an experience for anyone afraid of heights.
The old port of Fira under the town is used only for passengers from the
cruise ships. You can also walk up or down that road (almost 900steps)
or take a donkey ride all the way. There is also a cable car taking you
straight to Fira. As you arrive at Athinios you can rent a car straight
away from the spot. Santorini has a very good road network and a car or
a bike will make your stay more convenient.
Bus routes: from Fira to Imerovigli, Oia, Mesaria,Pyrgos,
Akrotiri.
From Fira to Mesaria, Pyrgos, Megalochori-Emporio, Perissa, Kamari,
Monolithos. Check the timetables at the bus terminals.
Getting There Santorini has its own airport for domestic and
international flights to Santorni . There are ferries to Santorini
from Athens Piraeus 2-3 times a day, from Rafina four times a week,
Ios-Naxos-Paros 2-3 times a day, Syros twice a week, Milos twice a week,
Sikinos - Folegandros 4 times a week, Mykonos-Delos daily, Rhodes twice a
week, Crete daily. The island is also connected by air with Rhodes and
Heraclion of Crete during the summer season.
By plane:From Athens Airport to Santorini (the local airport is 8 km from
Fira). Information: Olympic Airlines Athens, tel (210) 9666666, Olympic
Airlnes Santorini, tel (22860) 22493, 22793
In general, Santorini is a great place to start if you want to go island
hopping, since it is connected to most Cycladic islands.
Where to stay in Santorini. The island offers a plethora of
accommodations in almost every tourist resort. Hotels, luxury apartments and
villas, rooms, campsites and studios.
Ersi
Villas located in the area of Firostefani in a tranquil environment away
from the noise of traffic and people, very near to Fira, the main town of
the island, within a few minutes walk from the capital's centre, shops,
restaurants, bars and bus terminals. Literally built above the sea, the
charming villas Ersi offers panoramic sea views towards the east coast of
the island. The villas are built using Santorini's traditional architectural
design and charmingly decorated in a rustic style that is both spacious and
comfortable. The family environment combined with privacy and attention to
every detail will be sure to make your stay at Ersi Villas your most
enjoyable Greek Island holiday. website www.ersivillassantorini.com
Contact information ersi_@otenet.gr Tel:0030 2286024719.
Reverie
apartments located in the wonderful area of Firostefani
overlooking the amazing Caldera of the Volcano and the blue
Aegean sea.
The area is ideal and tranquil with all the amenities
of a holiday resort such as cafes, minimarkets and restaurants.
You can easily go to Fira by bus or just a small walk around the
caldera.
The family business of Reverie offers to its guests
accommodation with all comforts and needs of the modern
traveler.For more information visit the official site
www.reverie.gr